• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main content
Choose which site to search.
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Logo University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Medicine: Department of Surgery
  • UAMS Health
  • Jobs
  • Giving
  • About Us
    • Department News
    • Philanthropy
  • Faculty
  • Divisions
    • Adult Cardiovascular Surgery
    • Breast Oncology
      • Our Mission
      • Pioneering Health Care
    • Burn Surgery
    • Colorectal Surgery
    • Endocrine Surgery
    • General Surgery
    • Hepatobiliary Surgery
    • Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery
    • Pediatric General Surgery
    • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Surgical Oncology
    • Thoracic Surgery
    • Transplantation
    • Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
      • Guidelines
    • Vascular Surgery
      • Aortic Emergencies
      • Vascular Laboratory
  • Education
    • Office of Surgical Education
    • Medical Student Education
      • Junior Clerkship
        • Goals and Objectives
        • Conferences
        • Learning Resources
        • Junior Clerkship Assessment
      • Senior Surgery Electives
      • Senior Surgery Honors Course
        • Objectives
        • Readings
      • Summer in Surgery
      • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Interest Group
  • Residency Programs
    • General Surgery
      • Our Residents
      • Curriculum
        • ABSITE/Board Prep
        • Simulation
        • Conferences
        • Program Objectives
        • Assessment
      • Schedules
        • Development
        • Rotation Objectives
        • Rotation Schedules
        • Clinical Sites
      • Resident Life
      • Guidelines for Selection
      • Benefits
      • Recent Graduates
    • Vascular Surgery
      • Program Information
        • Competencies
          • PGY-1 Competencies
          • PGY-2 Competencies
          • PGY-3 Competencies
          • PGY-4 and PGY-5 Competencies
        • Curriculum
        • Rotation Schedule
      • Training
        • Clinical Training Sites
      • Apply
      • Current Residents
      • Living in Little Rock
  • Fellowship Programs
    • Breast Surgery
    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Surgical Critical Care
      • How to Apply
      • Faculty
      • Fellows
      • Research
      • Fellow Schedule
      • Living in Little Rock
      • Contact Us
    • Vascular Surgery (5+2)
      • Application Process
      • Our Fellows
      • Information for Applicants
  • Surgical Research
    • Basic Science Surgical Research Fellowship Program
      • Getting Started
      • Funding Opportunities
      • Research Advisory Committee
      • Approvals and Training
      • Research Fellows
    • Annual Conferences
    • Ongoing Research
      • Ongoing Research — Basic Science
      • Ongoing Research — Clinical
    • Laboratories
      • Burdine Laboratory
        • Research
        • Lab Members
        • Meet the PI
    • Office of Health Initiatives and Disparities Research
      • Meet Our Team
      • Community Engagement
      • Health Policy
      • Patient Navigation Programs
      • Training/Mentoring
    • Research Seminars
      • Surgical Research Symposium
    • Research Resources
    • Funding Opportunities
    • News and Events
    • Recent Publications
  • Chest Club
  1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  2. College of Medicine
  3. Department of Surgery
  4. Department News
  5. Ronald Robertson, M.D., Named Chair of Surgery

Ronald Robertson, M.D., Named Chair of Surgery

By Amy Widner

Ronald Robertson, M.D, has been appointed chairman of the Department of Surgery in the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Robertson will assume the role in May upon the retirement of Frederick “Rick” Bentley, M.D., who has served as chair of the Department of Surgery since 2015.

“Dr. Robertson is a fine colleague, superb trauma surgeon and a proven leader who has dedicated his career to UAMS and improving surgical and trauma care in Arkansas,” said Christopher T. Westfall, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor at UAMS. “Dr. Robertson’s many prior leadership roles, dedication to our institution and those we serve, and remarkable collegiality will all help him to be an exceptional chair of surgery.”

A UAMS faculty member since 1996, Robertson has served as chief of the Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery since 2013. He became vice chair for clinical affairs in the Department of Surgery in 2018.

Robertson was a driving force in the establishment of Arkansas’ Trauma System in 2010. As trauma medical director at UAMS since 2013, he leads the only American College of Surgeons-verified Adult Level 1 Trauma Center in the state. The center performs in the top 10 percent of Level 1 Trauma Centers nationwide.

Robertson received his medical degree from the College of Medicine in 1989. He remained at UAMS for his general surgery residency, earning the Robert M. Bransford, M.D., Award as Outstanding Chief Resident in General Surgery in 1994. Robertson continued his training at UAMS with a fellowship in trauma, critical care and burn surgery before joining the faculty as an assistant professor. He was promoted to associate professor in 2001 and to professor in 2008. Early leadership posts included director of the Burn Unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital from 1995 to 2005.

Posted by Chris Lesher on April 17, 2019

Filed Under: Department News

UAMS College of Medicine LogoUAMS College of MedicineUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

© 2025 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences